You might not get in until after half-time!

Fans warned of huge delays over Covid pass and stewards fear a backlash

have been warned to expect huge delays outside stadiums when Covid passes come into force this week.

Supporters must show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter grounds larger than 10,000 capacity and experts believe checks could take so long that some may not be seated before half-time.

There are also concerns that if the NHS Covid app crashes, then games will have to be delayed or supporters will have to be waved through without checks.

Stewarding shortages have already left the security industry under-staffed and will now need even more personnel to perform Covid checks.

Industry leaders believe significant delays could be unavoidable if everyone has to have their pass scanned. ‘Everyone is worried,’ said Eric Stuart, chair of the United Kingdom Crowd Management Association (UKCMA).

‘The impact of Plan B and Covid passports is that they will require additional roles that have to be performed at venues that are already short of people.

‘The big unknown is whether the checks are going to be visual on the phone or whether they have to scan their phone. We are in discussions with local authorities.

‘If we have to scan every pass, the delays will be considerable. The staffing increasing will be considerable. Even with staff, it will lead to significant delays. Anyone going to an event, wrap up well and expect to be standing outside for much longer than you usually do.’

In tests, it took between two and 35 seconds to scan NHS Covid passes. That was without taking into account individuals not having passes ready to check or the NHS app crashing. ‘If it takes 35 seconds to check 20,000 passes…that’s a lot of extra minutes,’ added Stuart. ‘If the app crashes, stewards will have no choice but to wave people in.’

There are also concerns of how easy it is for supporters to bypass the system with passes that aren’t their own. Crowd-management authorities are so concerned they have repeatedly written to the Government calling for support.

A recent UKCMA survey revealed that the majority of members are overbooking staff but are still without sufficient numbers.

‘The more checks you put in place to keep people safe, the more it could lead to long queues in bad weather, high winds and increased terror threats,’ said Stuart. ‘Queues increase vulnerability in many areas. It’s not just Covid, you need an holistic approach and this is not.’

There are also concerns how well the new system will cope with capacity crowds at Arsenal and Chelsea on Wednesday and Thursday night with delayed kick-off times having an impact on fans being able to get transport home.

Fans have been urged to arrive earlier than usual.

Peter Houghton, director of operations at the Football Safety Officers’ Association, said: ‘A lot will depend on the rate at which fans go through the turnstiles. What we will never take away is that people don’t arrive until half an hour before kick-off. Football fans are creatures of habit.

‘If you’ve got to do 100 per cent Covid checking, I’d imagine in the first week a lot of fans will not be taking up their positions much before half-time. My concerns are also for stewards’ welfare. If there are delays, it will be those lads who bear the brunt of it.

‘Get there early, get all evidence ready and that will minimise the time it takes to get in.’